From the Blog

When looking for an affordable option to fulfill your winter fix, look no further than Black Bear Resort.

Play hooky and take advantage of our budget friendly mid-week rates; you’ll find short lift lines, great pricing on lift tickets and fresh tracks in the snow!

We also offer competitive rates on weekends and holidays! Check out the coupons at our front desk for discounts to local activities!

Black Bear Resort is located at the North end of Canaan Valley, on 45 acres, overlooking Canaan Valley Wild Life Refuge and Timberline Mountain. We are conveniently located within minutes of all the local activities. So come stay with us and Ski The Valley!

Watching the resorts make snow from our lodge.

Our guests have fun simply playing in the snow on our beautiful grounds, sledding, cross country skiing, snowshoeing or building a snow fort — without even leaving the resort!

While Canaan Valley is known for its downhill skiing, there are many other winter activities to enjoy!

Timberline Ski Resort is known for some of the best advanced trails in the east coast. Timberline has 1,000 feet of vertical drop, with diamonds as well as a 2-mile-long beginner slope. An inviting lodge and plenty for the snowboarders, Timberline also has night skiing for those who just don’t want to stop having fun. http://www.snowpak.com/snowpak/resorts/timberline-four-seasons

White grass has become the “go to” cross-country ski resort in Canaan Valley. White grass offers a varied and unique experience with dozens of miles of groomed trails. One visit and you will realize why White Grass is so special; and don’t forget to check out the scrumptious lunches and dinners. http://www.whitegrass.com

Blackwater Falls State Park offers a new sled hill complete with a magic carpet and miles of great cross-country trails! Don’t miss the magnificent view of Blackwater Falls! http://www.blackwaterfalls.com

All units are positioned for privacy, offer all of the comforts of home and feature a cozy wood fireplace (wood provided). Many offer double Jacuzzis and are PET FRIENDLY!

If you haven’t had the opportunity to check out our two mountain towns only minutes away, you are missing out! Davis and Thomas are quickly becoming destinations of their own with quaint restaurants, art galleries, antique shops, live music venues and unique micro-breweries!

Getting to Black Bear Resort has never been easier. Corridor H offers a direct link to our Northern Virginia, Baltimore and D.C. guests! We are now only 2 ½ hours from Dulles International Airport with 90 percent of the trip being a 4-lane highway!

We also have a brand new ski shop located in the heart of Davis. On your way through be sure to stop into Driftland Ski and Sport to rent or demo some skis from their shiny new fleet, or even pick up some gear you may be in need of.

The next time you think about playing hooky and hitting the slopes, give Black Bear Resort a call! We look forward to seeing you.

Early fall in Canaan Valley is a glorious time of year…maples dropping bright red leaves, aspens tinged in yellow and cool, clear sunny days. Here at Black Bear Resort, you can enjoy your first of two falls, as our elevation of over 3,200 feet means our autumn begins much earlier than the lowlands’…or the calendar’s!

Revenge of the Rattlesnake Ultra MTB Race: Sunday, September 17

The cloudless blue skies are the backdrop for a variety of events here in Tucker County. Sunday, September 17 Davis is home to an epic 40-mile ultra mountain bike race through some of the gnarliest trails on the East Coast: The Revenge of the Rattlesnake.

Run For It 5k Run/ 2k Walk, Saturday Sept. 23

Join us for Run For It! A spectacular community fund-raising event. From the organizers:

“RUN FOR IT is a 2k (1.2M) walk and USATF- certified 5k (3.1M) race around the scenic mountain town of Davis, WV during Leaf Peepers Festival. Raise funds and awareness for community organizations, projects, nonprofit agencies, educational activities, and charities located within the Foundation’s service area (see map below). Speed is not required to win. “

Leaf Peepers Festival, Sept. 22-24

That very same weekend, beginning Friday night, the Leaf Peepers Festival celebrates the brilliant peak of fall color with a beer garden, car show, parade, and live performers demonstrating their talents, arts and history.

Blackwater Falls Astronomy Weekend – Sept. 15-17

The first weekend of October celebrates another of our area’s very special qualities: dark skies. Join Kanawha Valley Astronomical Society and Blackwater Falls State Park as they host the Blackwater Falls Astronomy Weekend See the Milky Way span the dark sky with the naked eye, or check out familiar objects through high powered telescopes at one of the star parties.

Spring is here!

Nestled in the mountains of Tucker County, WV our Canaan Valley Spring weather can be pleasantly unpredictable. Sunny blue skies, a winter wonderland and a “snuggle by the fireplace” rainy afternoon can occur all in the same day! Plan for everything and adjust daily.

But accommodating all that wacky weather is worthwhile as a day or two in our quiet little slice of heaven does something that just seems to rejuvenate your spirit.

Our selection of inn suites, cozy cabins and large deluxe homes can accommodate groups of all sizes!

Everything you need to get away!

This Spring Black Bear Resort is offering a special for you to enjoy our area while having a “base camp” in one our cabins. We’ll fix you up with a fully equipped kitchen, grill, wood fireplace and Jacuzzi tub where you can relax at the end of the day. Plus we’ll have for you: discounts/coupons at area restaurants, outdoor activities and FREE BEER! Today, not just tomorrow!

The grounds of Black Bear Resort offers many things to do, from horse shoes to mini-golf to fishing ponds and of course a heated pool in the summer!

Blackwater Falls State Park is just minutes away from the resort, offering great views, picnicking and miles of hiking and biking trails!

Stay 3 Nights and get the 4th FREE!

While getting away for your relaxing and adventurous weekend, you may find that two days is not enough. Stay a third day, and well, why not a fourth, as that one’s free! Yep, stay three and your fourth night is free; just pay separate shipping and handling…only kidding…it really is free!

On your way out of town don’t forget to check out our fast growing Highland Market for fresh local produce, meats and cheeses to take home with you.

Isn’t it time to enjoy Spring in the mountains?

Early fall in Canaan Valley is a glorious time of year…maples dropping bright red leaves, aspens tinged in yellow and cool, clear sunny days. Here at Black Bear Resort, you can enjoy your first of two falls, as our elevation of over 3,200 feet means our autumn begins much earlier than the lowlands’…or the calendar’s!

Revenge of the Rattlesnake Ultra MTB Race, Saturday Sept. 19

The cloudless blue skies are the backdrop for a variety of events here in Tucker County. Saturday, September 19 Davis is home to an epic 40-mile ultra mountain bike race through some of the gnarliest trails on the East Coast: The Revenge of the Rattlesnake.

Run For It 5k Run/ 2k Walk, Saturday Sept. 26

Join us for Run For It! A spectacular community fund-raising event, Run For It! draws hundreds of participants and distributes over $80,000 in awards to local non-profits.

Leaf Peepers Festival, Sept. 25-28

That very same weekend, beginning Friday night, the Leaf Peepers Festival celebrates the brilliant peak of fall color with a beer garden, car show, parade, and live performers demonstrating their talents, arts and history.

Blackwater Falls Astronomy Weekend – Oct. 1-4

The first weekend of October celebrates another of our area’s very special qualities: dark skies. Join Kanawha Valley Astronomical Society and Blackwater Falls State Park as they host the 26th Anniversary Astronomy Weekend – Dark Skies. See the Milky Way span the dark sky with the naked eye, or check out familiar objects through high powered telescopes at one of the star parties.

See that cool little white spot in the center of the heat wave? That’s us.

Whew! “It’s getting hot,” I said to a visitor the other day and she just looked at me. Undeterred, I added “It’s gotta be getting close to 80 this afternoon”. She spoke: “It was 99 yesterday in Richmond!” But check it out for yourself; here’s our Canaan weather.

“City people” who come to the mountains for the first time find it’s often 15 to 20 degrees cooler in Canaan Valley than in the neighboring cities. Some folks think it’s due to the heat buildup of all the roads and buildings crowded together. Those of us who live here know: we’re just cooler in the mountains. Cooler natural surroundings, cooler mountain streams, cooler elevation, and hey, cool (we think) people.

Black Bear Resort is located right in the middle of this cool mountain community. We have rental vacation homes where you can put up your whole family. Or rent one of our many custom-themed units with Jacuzzi and balcony. All these overlook the generous 45-acres of your Black Bear property. While here you can enjoy our spacious pool and expansive lodge, or maybe toast a ‘smore in one of our several fire pits.

Our heated pool is still amazingly refreshing on hot summer days, yet still relaxing on the cooler.

The huge Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge with its helpful personnel and visitors’ center is just minutes away. Here you can learn about and enjoy the unique habitats, plants and wildlife of this unique highlands wetland. And they’ll point you to the several nature trails you, or you and your children will enjoy.

Canaan Valley and the surrounding areas offer lots of outdoor entertainment options with horseback riding, biking, fishing, kayaking, rafting, hiking, photography…the list just goes on and on. Check them all out here. Cool, clear air makes for amazing stargazing when the weather is just right.

And when you’re finished running around all day you can come back to Black Bear for our heated pool, mini-golf, playground, tennis courts, hiking trails, or just to sit by an outdoor fire and relax.

A highlight of August is Brew Skies and this year Black Bear Resort is providing shuttles! On August 19 and 20 Brew Skies brings all of West Virginia’s amazing breweries and loads of talented Appalachian musicians together under big summer skies.

Want an affordable summer getaway; a cool time is just a click away. Come visit us! Check out our units and book online today.

People ask “what is there to do in the Spring in Canaan Valley? The slopes are closed, the golf course is not open, what is there to do?” I think to myself: Spring is my favorite time of year! There are so many things to do here…or…you can choose to simply do nothing.

Spring Buds

In Early Spring, you might just want to come to relax. Come for the weekend, build a fire, pour a glass of wine and do…nothing. Relax in your cabin, stroll through our small towns, visit amazing art galleries and shops and schedule a last minute massage. Later, enjoy dinner at one of our quaint restaurants or share time together cooking with family or friends in the cabin. The warming nights of Spring invite one outside to view the myriad stars; a unique and unforgettable opportunity afforded by our higher elevation and lack of city lights.

Canaan Valley Stars

For me, Spring means simply walking through the forests and feeling the warm sun, breathing the crisp air, rejuvenating my spirit and helping me focus on new beginnings. The feeling you get from these simplicities allows you to completely clear your mind, body and soul.

Still, for the more adventurous, Spring has much to offer! Be advised: the weather is capricious. Be prepared for daytime temperature swings of tens of degrees. Dress accordingly. Sun, snow, rain and even ice can happen on the same day! But braving the weather is worth it. You’ll see hundreds of varieties of fresh-sprouted, delicate Spring flowers. Newborn fawns and wildlife frolic through the fields, and black bears are coming out of hibernation following their long Winter respite. One of my favorite Spring pastimes is gathering our famous “ramps” (wild, pungent leeks) and then preparing a Springtime feast!

Hiking enthusiasts begin their season on numerous trails through thousands of acres of vibrant scenery. Spring brings snow-melt-swollen creeks for kayaking, whitewater rafting and trout fishing. With the snow and ice melting away, rock climbers can once again be spotted on the walls of Seneca. Check out our list of out door activities!

Raging Rivers!

This season of transition reveals the rugged character of the trails and landscape. Rocks and roots that have been hiding under the snowpack emerge, and with them the sport of mountain biking returns with a splash. The rhododendron and mountain laurel have barely begun their gnarly grasp of the trails, making visibility about as good as it gets. Eight months of riding in the woods starts now!

As you visit Canaan Valley, Davis, Thomas, and Parsons you’ll be sure to note the community ramp dinners nearly every weekend! Gathering with the locals as we celebrate this Spring treat is an experience in itself! In addition, there are several area Spring festivals scheduled each year, including the very popular Art Spring in late May.

So come visit us in Canaan Valley this Spring. Let our home at Black Bear Resort become your home for a long weekend during this season of hope. Once you’re here…discover your adventure – or simply do nothing.

Black Bear Resort is family friendly with individually owned cabins located in West Virginia’s spectacular Canaan Valley. Set on more than 40 landscaped acres, we have sweeping views of Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Cabin Mountain and Timberline ski area. Our resort is located on Canaan Mountain at the north end of Canaan Valley between Blackwater Falls State Park and Canaan Valley State Park. We are only four miles from the town of Davis, WV. Dolly Sods, Seneca Rocks, Spruce Knob and 900,000 acres of Monongahela National Forest are nearby, offering endless possibilities for outdoor recreation and scenic beauty…any time of year!

Many of our cabins are available to rent, providing accommodations for families, couples and small groups. Whether you’re looking for a single room hotel-like suite, a cozy 2 bedroom family friendly cabin or a larger home – we have something to meet your specific needs. Many of our cabins – we call them pedestals – and inn suites allow pets (dogs only, please).

Each pedestal cabin has a fully equipped kitchen, linens and towels, washer and dryer, full bath (some with a double Jacuzzi), cozy wood fireplace (wood provided), large deck with a grill and much more! Our one room inn suites have a dining area, fireplace, private balcony with a view, double Jacuzzi, mini fridge, microwave and a coffee pot.

Catch (and release!) fish in one of our ponds or just relax in the gazebo.

The Black Bear mountain lodge is available to rent for hosting your events, weddings, reunions and more – with a large deck and spectacular views of Canaan Valley.

Black Bear Resort is the perfect mountain getaway to allow you to escape the hustle and bustle – relax and unwind! But don’t worry, if you can’t quite unplug, many of our units offer wifi, as does the lodge.

So you’ve checked in…now what? Canaan Valley is well known for our winter wonderland, however each season provides a spectacular experience that brings our guests back year round.

One of our favorite seasons is Spring! A great time to take advantage of the area’s natural public lands and stroll through forests past creeks rushing with snow melt. Abundant wildlife with their young wander through open fields full of beautiful spring wild flowers! Popular activities this time of year include trout fishing, whitewater kayaking, rafting, hiking and maybe even a little cross country skiing! Spring is also the beginning of another sport that Canaan is famous for: mountain biking!

Enjoy a casual ride on our grounds or explore Canaan on road or mountain bike

Summer heating up? Our high elevation (3,200 feet) offers a much cooler summer climate than most neighboring areas, with temperatures up to 20 degrees cooler. Enjoy our long, warm breezy days of summer outside. They are perfect for horseback riding, road and mountain biking, hiking and canoeing. Take advantage of our cool nights by dining outdoors or having s’mores by the fire pit! When you are ready to beat the summer heat, remember you can always find a great place to make the most of summer at Black Bear.

Our Autumn season kicks off the last weekend of September with Tucker County’s annual Leaf Peeper’s Festival and Run For It 5k in Davis. Our area is one of the best places to view the fall foliage of the mountains, revealing a splendid array of colors. Our leaves turn a few weeks earlier allowing you to jump start your leaf peeping season!

Fall in Canaan is a spectacular sight!

Ready for some snow? Thanks to our elevation we receive an average of 180 inches of snow per season – but many years we get much more! Surrounded by ski areas and state parks…there’s plenty to do. Looking for a downhill skiing or snowboarding adventure? How about exploring the high country on cross-country skis or snowshoes? Or take the whole family sledding, tubing or ice skating. Maybe you’re just looking for a romantic getaway by a cozy wood fireplace. Whatever your winter vacation desires may be, Black Bear Resort and the Canaan Valley area has it all.

Check out our new video!

Regardless of the season you choose to visit the area, you will always find peace and serenity at our quiet mountain resort – with fun and adventure right around the corner. Many of our guests enjoy the resort so much they become a homeowner themselves! Our sales office can provide you with a list of cabins for sale.

So check out our new online booking system or call us and make your reservation today! We’ve already had our first snows!

Winter is almost here! This is the first snow on the mountain, October 2014